Skip to main content

PILOT REVIEW: Chicago Justice

CHICAGO JUSTICE











Starring: Philip Winchester, Jon Seda, Joelle Carter, Monica Barbaro, and Carl Weathers

Created by Dick Wolf
Developed by Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, and Matt Olmstead
Written by William N. Fordes, Directed by Norberto Barba

The Chicago empire has gotten ever bigger with the arrival of NBC's fourth show in the franchise, Chicago Justice, set in the legal world. This edition follows the State Attorney's office, led by State's Attorney Mark Jefferies (Carl Weathers) and Assistant State's Attorney (Philip Winchester). Their team includes Chicago PD veteran Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda), Laura Nagel (Joelle Carter), and Anna Valdez (Monica Barbaro).

I'll start by admitting that I am a fan of the Chicago franchise. I know it has its detractors and I get why, but I enjoy them. I actually think Chicago Fire is better than it gets credit for because the characters are enjoyable. Chicago PD and Chicago Med are pretty formulaic but I still enjoy them. I watched the first two episodes of Chicago Justice, but am mainly reviewing the second episode because the pilot was the third part of a crossover event that didn't really give us a glimpse into what Chicago Justice will look like as a show that has to stand on its own.

I'm starting to wondering if we've officially crossed the line of too much Chicago. I wanted to really like Chicago Justice. After all, I'm inherently more interested in a legal show than a medical or fire show. But I just feel like each new Chicago show has gotten more formulaic and this was basically an episode of Law & Order except without the well known characters. Not that Chicago Justice couldn't get there, but this felt particularly procedural-y. Fire actually delves into the personal lives of the characters quite often. PD does a little bit. Med and Justice really don't at all (or at least Justice didn't in the pilot). That makes the characters here seem like stock characters. They're fine and the acting is fine but there's very little connection made.

I thought perhaps the case of the week was dull, but it was a hot button issue that could have been compelling. I just wish the other Chicago shows blended serial narratives and cases of the week as well as Chicago Fire does. But Justice, at first glance, seems to do it the least. We know Jon Seda has some interesting character elements and I liked Philip Winchester in the courtroom but I think we needed to at least introduce a personal storyline or two. Or maybe they just feel like they're not going to have time with the case of the week. I hope that's not the case or else this Chicago show may just be piling on instead of a worthwhile timeslot occupant.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes. I will give it a little bit of time. I watch Chicago Fire every week, usually watch Med, and sometimes watch PD. What's one more?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EPISODE GUIDES: That 70s Show Season Seven

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Seven of  That 70s Show ! THAT 70s SHOW: SEASON SEVEN 2004-2005 25 episodes The seventh season of  That 70s Show  is the final season with Topher Grace as a series regular and also the final full season for Ashton Kutcher. Despite still having both of those cast member, the show finds itself flailing especially with Topher Grace's Eric, who is stuck in a terrible arc for most of the season. The show also brings many characters back at one point or another but everything just feels tired. This season actually graded out the worst for me. Even worse than the often maligned final season (more on that next week). Every title this season is named for a Rolling Stones song. Starring Topher Grace as Eric Forman  (25 episodes) Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart  (25 episodes) Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso  (25 episodes) Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde  (25 e...
Post a Comment
Read more

EPISODE GUIDES: Rhoda Season Five

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Five (the final season) of  Rhoda ! RHODA: SEASON FIVE 1978 13 episodes Rhoda' s final season was a truncated one as the show was cancelled in December 1978 after only 13 episodes had been produced (and only nine had aired). This feels like a continuation from season four in many ways except with the ill-advised split between Ida and Martin (more on that below). While  Rhoda  has an occasional good moment and even a couple decent episodes, it is a show that seems so wildly different from season one and not in a good way.  Rhoda  could never figure out what it fully wanted to be and only made it four and a half seasons as a result. Starring Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern  (13 episodes) Julie Kavner as Brenda Morgenstern  (13 episodes) Ray Buktenica as Benny Goodwin  (11 episodes) Kenneth McMillan as Jack Doyle  (9 episodes) Nancy Wa...
Post a Comment
Read more

SCHEDULES OF THE PAST: 1995-1996 Thursdays

On Tuesdays, I take a look at schedules from yesteryear. Here's a look at Thursdays in the 1995-96 season! ABC 8:00 8:30 9:00 10:00 Sep Charlie Grace The Monroes Various Programs Oct Murder One Nov Various Programs Dec Various Programs Thursday Night Movie Jan Feb World’s Funniest Videos Before They Were Stars! Mar Apr May NBC was the powerhouse on Thursday nights but ABC still gave it the old college try in the Fall of 1995 with a trio of new dramas that they hoped would help them cut into the Peacock's dominance. Headlining their night was Murder One , a high profile new show from Steven Bochco that received much of the network's attention before the season started. The series focused on one murder case for an entire season, whi...
Post a Comment
Read more